I 


MANUAL 

OF  THE 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  FOREIGN 
MISSION  SOCIETY 


FOR  THE  USE  OF  MISSIONARIES 


TENTATIVE  EDITION 
CHAPTERS  II.  III.  IV  ONLY 


FORD  BUILDING 
BOSTON,  MASS. 

19  13 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


II 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SOCIETY  AND  ITS  MISSIONS 

ORGANIZATION  ON  THE  HOME  FIELD 

Incorporation.  The  Society  was  organized  under  the  name 
of  tlie  General  Missionary  Convention  of  the  Baptist  De¬ 
nomination  in  the  United  States  of  America  for  Foreign  Mis¬ 
sions,  popularly  known  as  the  Triennial  Convention,  in  1814, 
and  became  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  in  1846. 
In  1910  the  name  was  changed  to  American  Baptist  Foreign 
Mission  Society.  The  headquarters  were  established  at  Bos¬ 
ton  in  1826.  As  a  corporation  the  Society  is  organized  under 
the  laws  of  Alassachusetts,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania. 

Membership.  Membership  in  the  Society  consists  of  all 
missionaries  in  active  service;  life  members  and  honorary  life 
members*;  annual  members  appointed  by  Baptist  churches, 
each  church  being  entitled  to  one  delegate  and  one  additional 
delegate  for  e\ery  100  members  up  to  a  total  of  ten;  and  all 
delegates  to  each  annual  meeting  of  the  Northern  Baptist 
Convention. 

Board  of  Managers.  A  Board  of  Alanagers,  consisting  of 
twenty-seven  members,  one  third  of  whom  are  elected  each 
year  by  the  members  of  the  Society,  have  the  general  direc¬ 
tion  of  the  affairs  of  the  Society.  The  Board  meet  monthly, 
or  more  often  if  occasion  requires. 

General  Committee.  A  General  C  ommittee  of  se\ent>- 
ffve  members,  including  laymen  and  women,  one  third  of 
whom  are  elected  annually  by  the  Society,  meet  once  a  year. 
This  Committee  acts  as  an  ad\  isory  body  to  the  Board  of 
Managers. 

*No  life  nieinbers  have  been  created  since  1867.  and  no  honorary  life  members  since 
1910. 


12 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


Officers’  Council  and  Standing  Committees.  The  executive 
officers  at  the  Rooms  and  the  chairman  of  the  Board  compose 
the  Officers’  Council.  All  business  before  being  presented  to 
the  Board  is  considered  by  the  Council  or  by  one  of  the 
standing  committees  of  the  Board,  or  by  both. 

Secretaries.  The  practical  administration  of  the  plans  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  is  largely  entrusted  to  the  Secretaries, 
who,  with  the  Treasurer,  are  elected  annually  by  the  Society. 
The  Foreign  Secretary  has  oversight  of  the  work  of  the 
missionaries  in  all  the  fields  of  the  Society.  The  Home 
Secretary  seeks  the  development  of  missionary  interest 
among  the  churches  throughout  the  home  field,  has  charge 
of  the  publication  of  literature  used  for  this  purpo.se,  and  in 
general  executes  the  plans  of  the  Board  for  the  enlargement 
of  the  resources  of  the  Society. 

Treasurer.  All  the  funds  of  the  Society  are  in  charge  of 
the  Treasurer.  Investments  are  made  by  him  as  directed  by 
the  Board  of  Managers,  through  its  Finance  Committee. 
He  sends  to  the  foreign  field  all  money  to  be  expended  in  mis¬ 
sion  work,  as  directed  by  the  Board  of  Managers.  For  the 
relations  of  the  Treasurer  with  missionaries,  see  index,  “  Treas¬ 
urer,”  and  ”  Mission  Treasurer.” 

District  Secretaries.  District  Secretaries  are  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Alanagers  to  serve  in  different  parts  of  the 
country.  They  work  under  the  general  direction  of  the  Home 
Department. 

Auxiliary  Woman’s  Societies.  There  are  two  of  these,  the 
Woman’s  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  with  head¬ 
quarters  in  Boston,  and  the  Woman’s  Baptist  Foreign  Mission¬ 
ary  Society  of  the  West,  with  headquarters  in  Chicago.  The 
constituency  of  the  former  organization  is  confined  to  New 
lingland  and  the  Middle  States,  while  that  of  the  latter  is 
found  in  the  northern  states  west  of  this  territory.  The  con¬ 
duct  of  our  woman’s  work,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Board 
of  Managers,  is  in  general  in  the  hands  of  these  two  bodies, 


13 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


and  the  single  women  engaged  in  our  missions  are,  with  few 
exceptions,  under  their  direction.  All  appropriations  of 
money  by  these  organizations,  as  well  as  appointment  of  all 
missionaries,  are  sul)ject  to  the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Mana¬ 
gers  of  the  Society. 

Each  of  these  societies  has  issued  a  manual  for  the  guidance 
of  the  missionaries  supported  by  them,  a  copy  of  which  should 
be  secured. 

The  development  of  missionary  interest  in  the  Sunday  schools 
is  under  the  direction  of  the  Sunday  School  Cooperating 
Committee  of  the  three  societies,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Baptist  Forward  Movement  for  Missionary  Education. 


ORGANIZATION  ON  THE  MISSION  FIELD 


Designation  of  Missions.  The  missions  of  the  Society  arc 
designated  by  countries;  the  Burma  Mission,  the  Assam 
Mission,  the  South  India  Mission,  the  Bengal-Orissa 
Mission,  the  South  C'hina  Mission,  the  East  China  Mission, 
the  West  China  Mission,  the  Central  China  Mission,  the 
Japan  Mission,  the  Congo  Mission,  the  Philippine  Islands 
Mission  and  the  European  Missions. 

Stations.  The  central  points  in  the  missions,  where  mis¬ 
sionaries  are  appointed  to  reside,  are  called  stations;  as  Ran¬ 
goon,  Nowgong,  Swatow,  Nellore,  etc. 

Outstations.  At  greater  or  less  distances  from  the  mission 
stations  there  are  usually  \  illages  or  towns  where  some  form 
of  mission  work  is  regularly  carried  on  from  the  mission  station 
as  a  center.  These  places  are  referred  to  as  outstations. 

Mission  Conferences/^  All  missionaries  are  regarded  as 
responsible  directly  to  the  Board  of  Managers.  On  each 
mission  field,  however,  there  exists  a  mission  conference  whose 
membership  comprises  all  missionaries  of  the  American  Bap¬ 
tist  Foreign  Mission  Society  on  that  field,  including  the  wives 
of  missionaries  as  well  as  the  representatives  of  the  Woman’s 


/  i-v  1^ 


c 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


Societies.  Each  conference  is  a  voluntary  organization,  deter¬ 
mining,  within  the  limits  of  the  plan  for  advisory  action  by 
mission  conferences  adopted  l)y  the  Board  of  Managers,  its 
own  form  of  organization  and  constitution,  electing  its  own 
officers  and  prescribing  rules  for  the  transaction  of  business. 
The  object  of  the  conference  is  twofold :  — 

1.  To  afford  opportunity  for  the  promotion  of  social  fellow¬ 
ship  among  its  members,  the  cultivation  of  their  spiritual  life 
and  fraternal  consideration  of  matters  of  common  interest  in 
the  work  of  the  mission. 

2.  To  perform,  either  directly  or  through  its  reference  com¬ 
mittee,  such  advisory  functions  as  are  authorized  by  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Society. 

Expense  of  Attending  Conference.  In  view  of  the  twofold 
nature  of  the  conference  as  indicated  above,  the  expense  of 
attending  the  conference  is  met  in  part  by  the  missionary  from 
his  personal  funds  and  in  part  from  funds  of  the  Society. 

Advisory  Function  of  the  Mission  Conference.  The  tradi¬ 
tional  policy  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Society,  in  harmony  with 
general  denominational  ideals,  has  given  large  recognition  to  the 
individual  missionary.  The  direct  relation  of  all  missionaries 
to  the  Board  of  Managers  is  still  maintained,  but  it  is  recog¬ 
nized  that  the  judgment  and  experience  of  the  missionary 
body  is  of  the  highest  value  in  the  determination  of  administra¬ 
tive  problems.  This  adxantage  is  sought  through  exercise  of 
the  advisory  function  now  discharged  by  mission  conferences. 
The  conference  is  asked  to  express  advisory  judgment  upon 
all  questions  affecting  the  conduct  of  mission  work,  such  as 
estimates  ‘for  appropriations,  designation,  transfer  and  fur¬ 
lough  of  missionaries,  erection  of  new  buildings  and  the  making 
of  extensive  repairs,  and  other  specific  questions  referred  to  it 
by  the  Board  of  Managers  or  proposed  by  individual  mis¬ 
sionaries.  The  conference  does  not  pass  upon  cpiestions  of  a 
personal  nature,  such  as  provision  for  family  needs. 

The  conference  is  not  an  administrative  body  to  w'hich 


15 


Mcmual  of  the  America^!  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


indi\  idual  missionaries  or  committees  appointed  by  the  Board 
of  Managers  are  subject.  Its  action  is  designed  to  assist  the 
Board  of  Managers  and  the  boards  of  the  Woman’s  Societies 
by  advisory  judgment. 

The  plan  does  not  supersede  the  responsibility  of  the  Board 
of  Managers  for  final  determination  of  all  administrative  issues 
nor  for  such  independent  action  of  the  Board  as  is  deemed 
essential.  Nor  does  it  supersede  the  right  of  the  indi^'idual  to 
direct  correspondence  with  the  Board.  It  is  understood  that 
after  advisory  action  is  had  by  the  conference,  the  individual, 
if  desiring  to  do  so,  is  quite  free  to  present  his  case  personally 
to  the  Board  and  that  no  disloyalty  to  the  conference  is 
involved  in  such  a  course. 

Reference  Committees.  In  the  discharge  of  its  function  of 
rendering  advisory  judgment  to  the  Board  of  Managers,  each 
mission  conference  elects  a  Reference  Committee.  This 
committee  is  chosen  in  such  way  as  each  mission  prefers, 
but  in  every  case  the  reference  committee  should  include 
representatives  of  the  Woman’s  Societies. 

The  reference  committee  is  thus  distinctively  a  committee  of 
the  conference,  created  that  the  representative  sentiment  of 
the  conference  may  more  readily  find  expression.  It  is  not  an 
agent  of  the  Board  of  Managers  clothed  with  administrative 
powers.  Its  members  have  no  authority  over  their  fellow- 
missionaries.  Their  one  duty  is,  after  fraternal  conference 
among  themselves  and  with  fellow-missionaries,  to  ex[)ress  a 
frank,  impartial  judgment  upon  the  issues  coming  before 
them.  It  is  not  designed  that  unanimity  of  action  shall  be 
urged,  but  that  each  member  after  full  deliberation  and  dis¬ 
cussion  shall  freely  express  his  indixidual  judgment.  In  case 
of  a  di\'ided  sentiment,  reference  committees  are  asked  to 
indicate  in  their  report  the  names  of  members  casting  a 
negative  vote.  The  reference  committee  does  not  pass  upon 
(luestions  of  a  i^ersonal  nature. 

In  case  of  unusual  emergency,  as  in  sickness  necessitating  a 

k; 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


furlough,  the  action  of  the  reference  committee  shall  be  im¬ 
mediately  controlling.  An  emergency  fund  is  also  provided 
from  which  appropriations  to  a  limited  amount  can  be  made 
by  the  committee  without  waiting  for  action  by  the  Board. 

Property  Committees.  Individual  missionaries  are  re¬ 
sponsible  for  the  care  of  property  in  the  several  stations,  but 
in  each  mission  field  a  property  committee  is  appointed  by  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Society,  after  nomination  by  the 
conference.  The  function  of  this  committee  is  to  consider 
all  technical  details  relating  to  property,  as  the  purchase  of 
land,  securing  of  titles  of  real  estate  to  the  Society,  or,  if  this  is 
impossible,  insuring  the  wisest  form  of  holding  practicable, 
arrangement  of  mission  compounds,  estimates  for  new  buildings 
and  repairs,  and  in  general  to  give  advice  regarding  all  techni¬ 
cal  questions  relating  to  mission  property.  It  shall  also 
be  the  province  of  the  property  committee  to  supervise 
the  carrying  out  of  plans  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Managers 
for  erection  of  buildings  or  extensive  repairs.  No  plan  for 
building  shall  be  adopted  and  no  land  shall  be  purchased  or 
sold  without  approval  of  this  committee  except  by  special 
authorization  by  the  Board  of  Managers.  Copies  of  approved 
plans  for  residences  and  other  buildings  shall  be  forwarded  by 
the  committee  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  Foreign  Department 
of  the  Society.  It  is  understood  that  all  the  above  provisions 
should  be  regarded  by  missionaries  irrespective  of  the  source 
from  which  building  funds  are  derived. 

Where  distances  are  great  the  property  committee  may 
secure  its  information  by  correspondence  or  may  act  through 
such  other  agencies  as  is  deemed  best  adapted  to  secure  the 
end  in  view  in  its  appointment. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  as  quickly  cis 
resources  permit  this,  to  provide  for  each  mission  a  superin¬ 
tendent  of  building,  whose  time  shall  be  devoted  exclusively 
to  property  interests.  It  is  designed  that  the  property  com¬ 
mittee  shall  work  in  cooperation  with  the  superintendent. 


17 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


responsibility  still  remaining  with  that  committee.  See  also 
“  Mission  Property,”  page  47. 

Relation  of  Property  and  Reference  Committees.  It  is  not 
designed  that  the  property  committee  shall  assume  the  func¬ 
tions  of  the  reference  committee,  but  rather  that  it  shall  facili¬ 
tate  the  work  of  that  committee  by  furnishing  information  and 
plans.  The  reference  committee  will  in  all  cases  make  recom¬ 
mendation  with  regard  to  the  nece.ssity  and  amount  of  ap¬ 
propriations  asked  for  land  or  buildings,  seeking  advice  from 
the  property  committee  as  to  the  amount  of  expense  prob¬ 
ably  involved  and  the  desirability  of  land,  purchase  of 
which  is  suggested.  In  case  a  project  for  building  is  recom¬ 
mended  by  the  reference  committee  and  sanctioned  by  the 
Board  of  Managers,  detailed  plans  and  estimates  will  be  pre¬ 
pared  under  the  direction  of  the  property  committee.  See 
page  47. 

It  is  not  deemed  wise  that  the  property  committee  shall  be  a 
sub-committee  of  the  reference  committee,  the  two  committees 
being  cpiite  distinct  in  function. 

Trustees  of  Educational  Institutions.  The  higher  educa¬ 
tional  institutions  are  administered  through  boards  of  trustees. 
These  are  resi)onsible  directly  to  the  Board  of  Managers. 
But  it  is  desired  that  all  reports  made  by  them  shall  be  fur¬ 
nished  to  the  mission  conference,  such  suggestions  as  the  con¬ 
ference  shall  desire  to  make  being  forwarded  to  the  Board 
together  with  the  reports. 

Language  Committees.  The  conferences  apijoint,  subject  to 
the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  language  examination 
committees.  The  duty  of  such  committees  is  to  prescribe  a 
course  of  study  in  the  language,  to  conduct  examinations  for  all 
new  missionaries  of  the  Society  in  its  field  and  to  rej:)ort  an¬ 
nually  the  results  of  these  examinations  to  the  conference  and 
to  the  Board  of  Managers.  For  specific  reciuirements  in  the 
matter  of  language,  sec  i)age  38. 

Mission  Treasurers.  In  each  mission  field  a  mission  treas- 


18 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


urer  is  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Managers,  to  act  as  tlie  agent 
of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Society  in  that  field.  Through  the 
mission  treasurer  all  remittances  are  made  to  missionaries, 
and  through  him  the  missionaries  may  make  remittances  to 
friends  or  firms  at  home.  For  details  of  the  mission  treasurer’s 
duties  and  his  relations  to  missionaries,  see  index,  "  Mission 
Treasurer.” 

Auditing  on  the  Field.  Provision  is  made  by  the  Board  of 
Managers  for  auditing  the  accounts  of  mission  treasurers  and 
educational  and  other  institutions  serving  the  mission  at  large. 
Missionaries  are  asked  to  conform  to  the  special  rules  adopted 
in  the  mission  field  with  which  they  are  connected  for  audit 
of  individual  accounts  before  these  are  forwarded  to  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Society. 

Statistician.  In  each  mission  a  statistician  is  appointed  by 
the  conference  whose  duty  it  is  to  receive  from  the  several 
stations  and  classify  and  transmit  to  the  Foreign  Secretary  the 
statistics  of  the  mission. 


19 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


III 

THE  JOURNEY  TO  THE  MISSION  FIELD 

Early  Preparation.  All  preparation  should  be  made  as 
early  as  possible,  and  nothing  but  the  changing  of  American 
money  into  foreign  money  left  for  the  day  before  sailing. 
The  last  few  days  before  embarkation  are  likely  to  be  so 
occupied  with  farewells  and  final  interviews  with  friends,  that 
np  time  can  be  found  for  making  or  packing  purchases,  and 
any  preparations  left  to  that  time  must  of  necessity  be  very 
hurried  and  unsatisfactory.  If  possible,  all  trunks  should  be 
packed  ready  for  the  steamer  when  one  leaves  home  for  the 
port  of  embarkation. 

Allowance  for  Outfit.  An  allowance  for  the  purchase  of  a 
suitable  outfit  will  be  made  to  each  regularly  appointed  mis¬ 
sionary.  P'or  a  married  missionary  this  allowance  is  $400; 
for  an  unmarried  missionary,  $200.  The  allowance  can  be 
drawn  from  the  Treasurer  after  the  candidate  has  been 
designated,  but  not  before  the  first  of  April  previous  to 
sailing.  Missionaries  going  to  India  should  reserve  at  the 
very  least  one  half  their  outfit  money  for  the  purchase  of 
supplies  in  the  large  ports  of  destination.  Any  balance  of 
outfit  money  not  drawn  at  the  time  of  sailing  from  Boston 
will  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer  in  Boston,  or  he  will  arrange 
for  its  payment  by  the  mission  treasurer  on  the  field.  De¬ 
parting  missionaries  should  be  sure  to  arrange  this  with  the 
Treasurer  previous  to  the  day  of  sailing,  in  order  that  P'nglish 
gold  or  London  bank  drafts  may  be  secured,  or  other 
arrangements  made  without  fail  during  banking  hours.  Those 
sailing  from  western  ports  or  from  eastern  ports  other  than 
Boston  will  arrange  this  with  the  Treasurer  by  correspondence. 


20 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


Return  of  Outfit.  Should  a  missionary  retire  from  the  field 
after  a  service  of  three  years  or  less,  for  any  other  reason  than 
that  of  failure  of  health,  it  is  expected  that  an  equitable  return 
of  the  outfit  will  be  made  to  the  Board,  due  regard  being  had  to 
the  expense  incurred  and  the  service  rendered. 

Medical  Outfit.  In  the  case  of  medical  workers,  a  special 
appropriation  is  made  for  medical  outfit,  including  a  supply  of 
drugs  and  instruments.  The  amount  customarily  giv’en  for 
this  purpose  is  $300.  In  case  a  medical  missionary  removes 
from  a  station,  all  medical  supplies  should  be  left  at  the  sta¬ 
tion  unless  other  arrangement  is  made  with  the  Board  of  Mana¬ 
gers;  in  case  the  medical  missionary  withdraws  from  the 
service  of  the  Society,  personal  medical  equipment  so  far  as 
received  from  the  Society  should  revert  to  the  Society. 

Conference  for  Newly  Appointed  Missionaries.  Each  year 
a  conference  for  newly  appointed  missionaries  is  held  at  the 
Rooms  in  Boston.  It  is  conducted  by  the  executive  officers  of 
the  Foreign  Mission  Society,  assisted  by  the  officers  of  the 
Woman’s  Societies,  and  is  specially  intended  for  the  instruc¬ 
tion  of  new  workers  in  regard  to  their  varied  duties,  care  of 
health  and  manner  of  living  in  mission  fields.  Due  notice 
will  be  given  of  this  conference,  and  all  newly  appointed  mis¬ 
sionaries  are  expected  to  be  present. 

Farewell  Visits  to  Friends.  Missionaries  are  encouraged  to 
conform  to  the  wishes  of  friends  in  the  home  church  or  else¬ 
where  regarding  local  farewell  meetings.  Missionaries  for 
British  India  usually  sail  in  a  party  from  Boston;  while 
parties  who  are  to  sail  from  the  Pacific  Coast  are  expected 
to  travel  across  the  continent  together,  according  to  an 
itinerary  arranged  by  the  Secretaries,  speaking  in  such 
places  as  may  be  deemed  desirable. 

Farewell  Meetings.  Inasmuch  as  the  departure  of  mis¬ 
sionaries  is  a  matter  of  importance  to  the  Society  and  of 
special  interest  to  the  churches  of  the  port  from  which  they 
sail,  it  is  usually  desirable  to  hold  a  “  farewell  meeting  ” 


21 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


at  some  time  before  embarkation.  Arrangements  for  such 
meetings  will  be  duly  announced,  and  it  is  expected,  therefore, 
that  each  departing  missionary  will  plan  to  be  present  at  such 
farewell  meeting.  If  local  farewell  meetings  should  be  pro¬ 
posed  in  his  home  church  or  elsewhere,  he  should  not  dis¬ 
courage  the  plans,  but  accommodate  himself  to  their  arrange¬ 
ments,  so  far  as  his  relations  with  the  Society  will  allow. 
Often  these  farewell  gatherings  in  the  home  church  leave  a 
lasting  impression  upon  those  present. 

Church  Relations.  It  is  generally  advisable  for  the  mis¬ 
sionary  to  retain  his  memloership  in  the  home  land.  His 
relation  to  the  native  church  is  fundamentally  different  from 
that  of  the  native  Christians,  and  should  be  kept  distinct. 
Moreover,  by  retaining  his  membership  in  this  country  he  will 
have  a  tie  which  will  Ite  of  mutual  benefit,  both  to  the  church 
and  to  himself. 

Arrangements  for  Passage.  All  passages  will  be  arranged 
by  the  Treasurer.  Some  missionaries,  how'ever,  especially 
those  who  have  had  previous  experience,  prefer  to  take  from 
the  Treasurer  such  gross  sum  as  may  be  agreed  upon,  selecting 
their  own  route,  and  making  their  own  arrangements  for  their 
passage.  Subject  to  the  general  conditions  which  follow,  this 
plan  is  sometimes  sanctioned,  with  the  understanding  that  the 
Society  will  not  be  called  tipon  to  make  up  expenditure  in 
excess  of  the  provision  regularly  made. 

Dates  for  Sailing.  The  approximate  dates  favorable  for 
sailing  to  the  various  fields  are  as  follows:  — 

India  (Burma,  Assam,  South  India,  Bengal-Orissa),  in 
September  or  October. 

China  (South,  East,  West,  Central),  in  August,  September 
or  October. 

Philippines,  in  the  summer  or  fall. 

Congo,  in  April,  May,  June  or  July.  Missionaries  accus¬ 
tomed  to  the  climates  sometimes  sail  at  other  times. 

Japan,  in  August,  September  or  October. 


22 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


Port  of  Embarkation.  It  is  expected,  unless  there  is  special 
reason  for  other  arrangements,  that  missionaries  sailing  east¬ 
ward  will  embark  at  Boston;  those  sailing  westward,  at  San 
Francisco. 

Missionaries  departing  from  other  Atlantic  ports  than 
Boston,  or  from  the  Pacific  Coast,  will  need  to  have  special 
correspondence  with  the  Treasurer. 

Routes.  The  Society  provides  such  a  grade  of  passage  as 
secures  all  reasonable  comfort  for  its  missionaries.  It  prefers, 
however,  that  they  do  not  travel  by  the  more  lavishly  expensive 
steamers  even  at  their  own  charges;  and,  on  the  other  hand, 
that  they  do  not  seek  to  save  money  either  for  the  Society  or 
for  themselves  by  selecting  inferior  accommodations,  a  prac¬ 
tise  likely  to  result  in  loss  of  strength  or  health,  and,  on  the 
part  of  those  who  undergo  such  discomforts,  in  a  lessening  of 
ability  to  work. 

Subject  to  the  above  considerations,  the  route  which  in¬ 
volves  the  least  expense  to  the  Society  will  be  chosen  and  tick¬ 
ets  purchased  therefor.  Missionaries  who  wish  to  deviate 
from  the  direct  route,  or  to  delay  in  England  or  elsewhere, 
must,  therefore,  give  the  Treasurer  very  early  notice  of  such 
desire  and  obtain  the  consent  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 
Any  added  expense  due  to  one’s  own  delays  or  deviation  of 
route,  either  in  Europe  or  elsewhere,  must  be  borne  by  the 
missionary. 

Steamers  from  England.  It  is  intended  that  passengers 
shall  reach  England  about  a  week  before  the  departure  of  the 
on-carrying  steamer.  Passages  by  steamers  for  the  East  are 
secured  by  the  Treasurer,  generally  three  months  in  advance 
of  sailing  dates,  as  this  is  imperative  during  the  crowded  sea¬ 
son  in  the  autumn. 

Missionaries  are  met  on  arrival  in  England  and  are  also 
assisted  in  their  departure  by  the  agents  of  the  Society,  and 
all  needed  care  and  help  provided. 

Instructions  about  Baggage  at  Boston.  Either  on  the  train 


23 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


or  in  the  Boston  station  give  trunk  checks  to  the  Armstrong 
Transfer  Company,  instructing  them  to  hold  such  trunks  as 
are  ready  for  the  voyage,  and  to  send  them  to  the  pier  of  the 
steamship  line  by  which  passage  has  been  engaged  the  day 
before  the  sailing  of  the  steamer.  Get  information  on  this 
point  from  the  Treasurer  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Society 
before  leaving  home.  Special  tags  and  labels,  which  must  be 
attached  to  all  baggage  before  going  on  shipboard,  will  be 
furnished  on  application  to  the  Treasurer. 

Send  trunks  not  ready  for  the  steamer  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society,  too  Bow- 
doin  Street,  Boston,  or  to  the  hotel  or  other  place  of  entertain¬ 
ment,  if  necessary  to  have  them  close  at  hand.  Do  not  fail 
to  arrange  with  the  Treasurer  or  his  assistant  for  the  convey¬ 
ance  of  such  trunks  to  the  wharf  the  day  before  sailing. 

Those  departing  from  other  Atlantic  ports  or  from  the 
Pacific  Coast  will  need  to  have  special  correspondence  with  the 
Treasurer  about  these  matters. 

Special  Duties  Before  Sailing,  i.  Every  missionary 
should  make  a  will  before  leaving  the  home  land.  The  im¬ 
portance  of  this  duty  cannot  be  too  strongly  emphasized.  It 
will  save  embarrassing  delays  and  considerable  expense  in  the 
settlement  of  even  a  small  estate  belonging  to  one  dying  out¬ 
side  the  United  States. 

2.  Missionaries  going  to  China  should  secure  passports 
from  the  United  States  Government.  Blank  forms  for  making 
application  can  be  secured  from  the  Home  Secretary. 

3.  Missionaries  should  arrange  for  the  payment,  by  the 
Treasurer  if  desired,  of  life  insurance  premiums,  cost  of  main¬ 
taining  children,  if  any  are  left  behind,  and  other  similar 
matters  which  cannot  easily  be  attended  to  in  a  foreign  land. 

4.  Each  departing  missionary  should  leave  at  the  Rooms  the 
following:  — 

(a)  Copy  of  the  latest  photograph  of  himself  and  of  mem¬ 
bers  of  his  family. 


24 


Manval  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


(b)  Brief  biographical  statement. 

(c)  Names  and  addresses  (with  relationship)  of  relatives 
or  friends  to  whom  information  may  immediately  be  given  in 
case  occasion  for  this  shall  arise. 

(d)  His  will  and  his  life  insurance  policy. 

5.  All  missionaries  should  secure  from  the  Secretaries  and 
Treasurer  blank  forms  for  ordering  goods,  keeping  accounts, 
making  reports,  and  other  necessary  records. 

Let  no  one  forget  these  things  or  take  it  for  granted  that 
any  of  them  will  he  attended  to  without  special  and  definite 
instruction. 

To  be  Taken  to  the  Field,  i.  A  copy  of  this  manual. 

2.  A  copy  of  the  small  cable  code  specially  prepared  by  the 
Foreign  Mission  Society,  which  may  be  obtained  at  the  Rooms. 
Note:  —  The  Society  has  also  adopted  the  Western  Union 
cable  code,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  hands  of  each  mission 
treasurer. 

3.  Books  like  the  following,  or  such  as  apply  to  the  work 
to  be  done  or  the  country  to  which  the  missionary  is  assigned 
(write  to  the  Literature  Department  for  prices) : 

“  Indian  Missionary  Manual,”  by  ]3r.  J.  Murdock,  of 
Madras. 

”  Religions  of  Mission  Fields  as  Viewed  by  Protestant 
Missionaries,”  published  by  the  Student  Volunteer  Move¬ 
ment. 

”  The  Preservation  of  Health  in  the  Far  East,”  by  W.  P. 
Mears,  M.  A.,  M.  D.,  issued  by  the  C.  M.  S.  of  London. 

”  Household  Manual  of  Medicine,  Surgery,  Nursing  and 
Hygiene,”  by  Hartshorne. 

”  Hints  to  Travellers;  Scientific  and  General,”  by  D.  W. 
Freshfield  and  W.  J.  L.  Wharton. 

”  A  Handbook  of  Invalid  Cooking,”  by  M.  A.  Boland. 

”  First  Aid  to  the  Injured,”  by  B.  Morton. 

”  Scientific  American  Encyclopedia  of  Receipts,”  by  A.  A. 
Hopkins. 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreigti  Alission  Society 


4.  Aids  to  bookkeeping,  the  card  system  and  analytical 
systems. 

5.  A  small  case  of  medicines,  which  can  be  secured  through 
the  Treasurer  ($2.00). 

Clothing  and  Wraps  for  the  Voyage.  P'or  comfort  and  safety 
to  health  on  the  voyage  changes  of  clothing  for  both  heat  and 
cold  should  at  all  times  be  available.  Kven  in  midsummer  on 
the  North  Atlantic  full  winter  clothing  is  usually  needed. 
A  large  lap  rug  or  large  double  shawl  in  which  to  wrap  up  when 
occupying  a  deck  chair  is  an  essential ;  otherwise  great  dis¬ 
comfort  and  possibly  serious  ill  health  may  result. 

Passengers  for  any  field  in  India  should  buy  a  cheap  sun 
hat  (topee)  at  Port  Said,  and  wear  it  thereafter.  Passengers 
for  Africa  should  buy  one  in  London. 

Baggage  for  the  Voyage.  In  stateroom:  Each  passenger 
may  take  into  the  stateroom  one  “  steamer  or  cabin  trunk  ” 
and  “  hand  luggage,”  that  is,  handbags,  wraps,  etc.  These 
trunks  are  low,  with  fiat  tops,  and  must  go  below  the 
berths,  which  are  seldom  more  than  thirteen  inches  from  the 
fioor.  Steamer  trunks  vary  from  twenty-eight  to  forty-two 
inches  in  length,  but  a  medium  size,  about  thirty-two  inches, 
is  most  convenient,  and  it  should  be  not  over  thirteen  inches 
high.  Have  your  name  painted  on  both  ends  of  each  trunk, 
and  all  your  handbags  suitably  tagged. 

In  hold:  Each  passenger  on  the  Atlantic  steamers  is  allowed 
one  large  or  two  small  trunks  of  usual  shape,  which  are  placed 
in  the  hold  and  cannot  be  gotten  at  during  the  Atlantic  pas¬ 
sage.  On  the  passage  to  India  from  England,  or  on  the  Pacific, 
such  trunks,  if  marked  Wanted  on  Voyage,  may  be  opened 
on  certain  days.  On  Indian  steamers  the  baggage  allowance 
may  be  more  liberal. 

Baggage  checks  are  not  used  in  countries  other  than  the 
Plnited  States.  Each  traveler  is  expected  to  look  after  his 
own  belongings.  He  should  have  all  pieces  marked  with  full 
name.  He  should  have  in  his  pocket  a  list  of  the  same  and  be 

2t) 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


prepared  to  count  them  whenever  a  change  of  conveyance  is 
made. 

In  the  United  States  the  usual  baggage  allowance  is  150 
pounds  for  each  full  ticket.  Outgoing  and  incoming  travelers 
across  the  Pacific,  however,  are  usually  allowed  by  American 
railroad  companies  350  pounds  of  baggage  west  of  Chicago. 
A  special  order  may  be  necessary  to  secure  this  privilege. 

Steamer  Chairs.  A  folding  deck  chair  is  a  very  desirable 
accessory,  but  is  not  usually  furnished  by  the  steamer  except 
on  hire.  Missionaries  sailing  from  Atlantic  ports  can,  if  they 
desire,  purchase  deck  chairs  before  sailing.  Passengers  on 
Pacific  steamers  are  not  allowed  to  use  their  own  chairs, 
but  must  hire  from  the  steamship  company. 

Tickets  and  Money  for  Incidentals.  Steamer  tickets, 
money  for  incidental  expenses  (fees  on  steamer,  etc.),  together 
with  any  balance  of  outfit  or  other  moneys,  if  previously 
arranged  for,  will  be  delivered  by  the  Treasurer  a  day  or  two 
before  sailing,  or  mailed  as  arranged  to  missionaries  sailing 
from  other  ports.  Be  sure  to  ask  for  these  early  at  Boston. 
Missionaries  going  to  India  should  hand  to  the  Treasurer  any 
surplus  of  American  money  in  time  to  get  it  exchanged  into 
English  money  during  banking  hours. 


27 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Alission  Society 


IV 

PURCHASE,  PACKING  AND  SHIPPING  OF  GOODS 

Importance  of  these  Directions.  These  instructions  apply 
to  all  missionaries  who  are  sailing,  and  also  to  friends  who  may 
wish  to  have  the  Treasurer  of  the  F'oreign  Mission  Society  send 
goods  to  missionaries  on  the  field.  It  is  important  that  all 
should  observe  explicitly  the  directions  given,  and  it  is  also 
important  that  missionaries  call  the  attention  of  their  friends 
to  them. 

Freight  Allowance.  New  missionaries,  and  missionaries 
returning  to  their  fields  of  labor,  are  each  allowed  free  car¬ 
riage  of  freight  on  an  amount  not  e.xceeding  two  tons  meas¬ 
urement.  (Forty  cubic  feet  is  a  measured  or  ship’s  ton.) 
When  goods  are  shipped  by  weight,  800  pounds  are  considered 
equivalent  to  forty  cubic  feet;  an  allowance  measurement  or 
weight  is  made  for  each  child  pro  rata  cost  of  ticket.  Medical 
missionaries  are  allowed  sixty  cubic  feet  or  1,200  pounds 
additional  for  their  medical  outfit.  This  is  in  addition  to  the 
personal  baggage  allowed  upon  all  passengers’  tickets.  Such 
freight  is  insured  without  cost  to  the  missionary.  But  when 
missionaries  on  the  field  order  goods  from  this  country  for 
their  personal  use,  the  freight  and  insurance  on  the  same  must 
be  paid  by  them. 

Special  order  blanks  are  furnished  by  the  Treasurer,  which 
e\’ery  missionary  is  expected  to  use  when  ordering  g(xjds. 

What  to  Take.  So  great  differences  of  opinion  e.xist  among 
missionaries  in  regard  to  what  articles  of  clothing,  food  and 
household  effects  should  be  taken  from  the  homelaiul  that  no 
definite  rules  can  be  laid  down  here.  Prospective  missionaries 
will  secure  the  most  practical  help  and  advice  by  consulting 


28 


Maimal  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


personally  or  corresponding  with  missionaries  of  experience, 
preferably  those  who  have  lived  or  are  living  at  the  station  or 
in  the  country  to  which  they  are  going. 

In  general,  however,  it  may  be  said  that  books,  some  articles 
of  furniture  and  a  little  bric-a-brac  may  well  be  taken.  Some 
heavy  clothing  also  should  always  be  available  at  sea,  and 
missionaries  to  some  fields  take  along  for  winter  use  and  for 
vacation  use  on  the  hills  the  same  garments  they  use  in 
America. 

Clothing  and  many  articles  of  furniture  adapted  to  the 
tropics  can  be  bought  to  better  advantage  in  Calcutta,  Madras 
or  Rangoon  than  in  either  America  or  England.  So  also 
missionaries  for  Japan  and  China  can  make  many  purchases 
in  the  principal  ports.  For  the  Philippines  all  supplies  may 
be  taken  from  the  United  States,  although  purchases  can  be 
made  at  Hongkong  and  Manila.  Missionaries  for  Africa 
should  seek  advice  from  those  actually  acquainted  with  their 
prospective  fields. 

Special  Outfit  for  Certain  Countries.  American  ideas  of 
the  needs  of  tropical  climates  are  often  erroneous.  Warm 
underclothing,  for  instance,  is  often  needed  on  the  Congo. 
Each  newly  appointed  missionary  should  make  inquiry  about 
local  needs  at  the  Rooms  or  from  some  missionary  who  has 
had  experience  in  the  country  to  which  he  is  going. 

How  to  Pack  Goods.  All  goods  should  be  solidly  packed 
without  waste  spaces,  with  great  care,  in  strong  boxes,  very 
securely  nailed,  ends  iron  banded,  and  the  boards  of  which 
should  be  not  less  than  three-quarters  inch  thick;  but  any 
case  two  feet  long  should  be  made  from  boards  at  least  seven 
eighths  of  an  inch  thick.  If  barrels  are  used  they  must  be 
strong,  well  hooped,  and  the  heads  very  securely  fastened  In. 
Crockery  should  be  packed  by  an  expert  packer.  Do  not  mark 
any  package  ''  this  side  up  with  care,”  for  such  marks  are  never 
regarded,  and  indeed  seldom  can  be  seen  when  stowing  in  ships’ 
holds.  Liquids  and  articles  affected  by  heat  or  dampness 


29 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


(maple  sugar,  soap,  etc.)  should  be  packed  in  small  tin-lined 
cases,  filled  in  with  dry  sawdust,  excelsior  or  straw,  so  that 
breakage  or  “  sweating  ”  will  not  injure  other  goods. 

Flour,  meal,  beans,  fruits  —  dried  or  preserved  in  liciuids  — 
should  be  in  tins  soldered  air  tight.  Preserves  in*  glass  fruit 
jars  should  never  be  sent  to  India,  for  not  one  in  a  dozen  on  the 
average  will  arrive  safely. 

Books  should  be  i)acked  in  separate  cases,  apart  from  other 
goods. 

Bicycles  in  racks,  with  detachable  parts,  will  not  be  accepted 
unless  the  frame,  pedals,  pumps,  wrenches  and  other  attachable 
parts  arc  securely  boxed. 

All  trunks  to  be  shipped  as  freight  must  be  well  boxed; 
the  shipping  and  railroad  companies  demand  this. 

Prohibited  Shipments.  Ammunition,  explosives,  or  highly 
combustible  substances,  like  alcohol,  paint  or  varnish,  must 
not  be  included  with  other  goods.  The  steamers  refuse  to 
receive  packages  on  their  wharves  containing  any  explosives 
whatever,  and  the  Society  will  hold  any  person  who  sends 
explosives  strictly  responsible  for  all  expenses,  fines  or  damages 
resulting  from  such  acts.  The  fine  for  sending  explosives 
undeclared  is  $i,ooo  or  £200.  American  reprints  of  English 
copyrighted  works  are  not  admitted  into  Burma,  South  India 
or  Bengal. 

How  to  Mark  and  Ship  Goods.  All  cases  which  are  to  gc; 
by  freight  to  Burma,  Assam,  South  hidia  or  Bengal-Orissa 
from  any  part  of  the  United  States  except  New  York  City, 
should  be  marked  and  shipped  as  follows: 

I'or . (Name  of  Missionary) 

Care  of  Ernest  S.  Butler,  Treasurer, 

Eord  Building,  Boston,  Mass. 

100  Bowdoin  St. 

From . 

Correspontl  with  Ernest  S.  Butler,  Treasurer,  Box  41, 


30 


Mamtal  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Missioii  Society 


Boston,  Mass.,  concerning  all  goods  to  be  purchased  in  and 
shipped  from  Neiv  York  City. 

Mark  all  cases  plainly  with  the  name  and  address  of  the  mis¬ 
sionary  to  whom  they  are  to  be  sent,  and  on  those  for  Burma 
add,  “  Care  of  F.  D.  Phinney,  Rangoon,  Burma  on  those  for 
South  India,  “  Care  of  Binney  &  Co.,  Madras,  India  and  on 
those  for  Assam  and  Bengal,  “  Care  of  Grindlay  &  Co.,  Cal¬ 
cutta,  India.”  Number  the  cases  i,  2,  3,  etc. 

Concerning  all  cases  going  by  freight  to  China,  Japan  or  the 
Philippines,  from  any  part  of  the  FInited  States,  write  Ernest 
S.  Butler,  Treasurer,  Box  41,  Boston,  Mass.,  for  instructions. 

All  goods  for  the  Congo  are  to  be  addressed  with  the  name  of 
the  missionary  and  forwarded  to  Ernest  S.  Butler,  Treasurer, 
Ford  Building,  100  Bow'doin  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 

Mark  all  cases  plainly  with  the  name  and  address  of  the 
missionary  to  whom  they  are  to  be  sent.  Number  all  cases 
I,  2,  3,  etc. 

As  the  freight  rate  is  very  low,  the  Society  does  not  burden 
outgoing  missionaries  with  packages  for  missionaries  on  the 
field,  all  such  parcels  being  forwarded  by  freight  and  the  goods 
insured,  unless  other  arrangements  are  made  between  the 
sender  and  the  missionary.  Ocean  freight  and  insurance,  the 
amount  of  which  may  be  ascertained  by  writing  the  Treasurer, 
must  be  prepaid  by  the  sender;  otherwise  the  missionary  will 
be  charged  with  the  freight  and  insurance. 

How  to  List  Goods  —  Notification  of  Shipment.  Write 
at  once  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign 
Mission  Society,  Box  41,  Boston,  Mass.,  reporting  the 
shipment,  and  send  him  two  duplicate  invoices  or  lists  on 
separate  sheets  of  paper,  giving  the  number,  contents,  valua¬ 
tion,  measurement  and  destination  of  each  case  or  parcel 
separately.  Books  for  India  should  be  listed  in  detail,  giving 
title,  author,  publisher  and  value.  Do  not  write  about  these 
matters  in  the  same  letter  in  which  you  refer  to  other  business. 

Never  should  such  entries  be  made  in  the  lists  as  ”  personal 
effects  ”  or  ”  sundries  ”  or  ”  merchandise.”  The  authorities 


31 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


have  declared  their  intention  of  opening  any  case  when  such 
vague  description  of  contents  is  given  in  the  invoice. 

It  is  very  important  that  this  information  be  sent  promptly, 
as  it  is  needed  in  Boston  before  the  goods  can  possibly  be  sent 
forward  to  a  foreign  country  from  any  port  of  the  United 
States.  If  this  information  is  not  sent,  the  goods  cannot  be 
forwarded.  The  customs  authorities  in  foreign  countries 
will  not  permit  cases  to  be  imported  till  their  contents  are 
known  and  declared. 

Cost  of  Shipping.  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  all  goods 
are  subject  to  shipping  expenses,  either  to  the  sender  or  to  the 
receiver,  and  friends  of  missionaries  would  do  well  to  make 
inquiries  before  sending  out  goods  to  the  distant  fields,  as  it 
sometimes  happens  that  missionaries  have  to  pay  freight  on 
goods  which  are  not  ordered,  and  which  are  not  worth,  when 
received,  the  amount  of  freight  charged  on  them.  The  cost 
of  shipping  by  freight  from  Boston  to  Burma,  Assam,  South 
India  or  Bengal  is  about  35  cents  per  cubic  foot,  with  insur¬ 
ance  at  one  dollar  on  $100,  according  to  the  value  of  the  goods. 
Correspondence  should  be  had  with  the  Treasurer  concerning 
cost  of  shipping  to  other  fields.  The  Society  will  forward 
freight  to  any  missionary,  if  the  sender  prepays  ocean  freight 
and  insurance.  Foreign  custom  house  charges,  dues  and  other 
governmental  expenses  are  not  included  in  the  rates  given. 

Time  for  Shipment  of  Goods.  No  special  dates  are  fixed  in 
advance  for  such  shipments.  The  best  course  for  the  mission¬ 
ary  to  pursue  is  to  send  his  freight  to  Boston  as  soon  as  ready; 
and  everything  should  be  ready  so  that  it  may  reach  the  port 
at  least  two  weeks  before  the  missionary  is  to  sail.  This  will 
give  ample  time  for  the  Treasurer  to  correspond  with  him 
before  his  departure,  in  case  any  question  should  arise  as  to  the 
shipment.  A  shipment  can  be  made  sev^eral  months  in  ad¬ 
vance  of  sailing,  if  desired.  If  special  instructions  are  neces¬ 
sary  for  tins,  write  the  Treasurer  and  proceed  as  indicated 
above. 


32 


Maflual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


Valuation  of  Goods.  Goods  shipped  by  freight  are  insured 
on  the  basis  of  a  valuation  fixed  by  the  shipper.  Customs 
duties  at  ports  of  destination  are  assessed  on  the  same  basis. 
Care  should  be  exercised,  therefore,  in  fixing  values.  New 
goods,  of  course,  should  be  valued  at  the  purchase  price,  but 
old  goods  thus  valued  would  unnecessarily  increase  one's 
customs  duties.  In  regard  to  the  latter  the  best  plan  will  be  to 
value  them  at  “  second-hand  ”  rates,  as  goods  which  have 
been  used.  When  missionaries  are  going  out  or  returning  to 
their  fields,  the  Society  pays  duties  on  goods  up  to  a  valuation 
of  $150  per  person.  Upon  goods  ordered  from  America  while 
he  is  on  his  field,  the  missionary  must  pay  all  charges  for 
freight,  insurance  and  customs  duties. 

Parcels.  All  bundles,  parcels  and  small  boxes,  especially 
those  sent  by  friends  to  missionaries,  should  be  sent  by  express 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission 
Society,  too  Bowdoin  Street,  Boston,  Mass.,  for  repacking  and 
shipment.  When  friends  are  intending  to  send  parcels  to 
missionaries  by  freight  from  Boston,  ad\'ice  as  to  time  of 
probable  shipment  should  be  secured  from  the  Treasurer, 
since  these  parcels  must  be  held  in  the  Rooms  till  a  sufficient 
number  have  accumulated  to  warrant  expense  of  shipment. 

Money  to  Accompany  All  Orders.  It  is  necessary  to  call 
attention  to  the  growing  custom  of  missionaries’  sending  to 
the  Treasurer  in  Boston  orders  for  the  purchase  of  goods, 
sometimes  for  personal  use,  sometimes  for  the  use  of  the  mission 
and  for  medical  or  industrial  work,  and  sometimes  only  for  the 
convenience  of  friends,  without  providing  money  for  the  pay¬ 
ment  of  these  bills. 

The  I'reasurer  is  not  authorized  to  advance  money  for  any 
purpose  for  which  an  appropriation  has  not  been  made  by  the 
Board  of  Managers,  and  in  all  cases  where  such  appropriation 
has  not  been  made,  and  notice  thereof  been  received  by  the 
missionary  or  mission  treasurer,  funds  should  be  sent  to  cover 
the  requested  purchase  or  outlay. 


33 


Manual  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society 


'I'his  may  be  done  by  depositing  the  funds  with  the  mission 
treasurer  and  securing  his  draft  on  Boston,  or  a  letter  from  him 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Society,  certifying  that  a  certain  amount 
has  been  placed  with  him  for  that  definite  purpose. 

In  the  absence  of  such  a  remittance  or  notification,  the 
Treasurer  may  refuse  to  comply  with  requests  for  the  {payment 
of  money  in  this  country. 

Missionaries  are  expected  to  use  order  blanks  furnished  by 
the  Treasurer. 

Address  the  Treasurer.  All  orders  for  the  iiurchase  of 
goods  should  be  addressed  to  the  Treasurer,  who  will  fill 
them  and  send  the  goods  at  the  expense  of  the  missionary. 
If  it  is  desired  to  have  the  purchase  made  by  a  third  party, 
the  Treasurer  should  be  notified,  gi\ing  the  probable  cost  of 
the  goods,  and  requesting  him  to  pay  for  the  same  on  account. 
If  the  missionary  orders  goods  from  a  dealer  in  the  United 
States,  the  dealer  must  be  requested  to  forward  to  the  Treas¬ 
urer  both  original  and  duplicate  inxoices,  as  the  one  is  needed 
as  a  voucher  and  the  other  must  be  forwarded  for  custom  house 
purposes  at  the  time  of  shipment  of  goods. 

Do  not  write  about  purchase  or  shipment  of  gootls  on  same 
sheet  with  other  items  of  business.  Better  still,  do  not  en¬ 
close  such  requests  in  letters  written  on  other  subjects. 

Who  May  Order  Goods.  The  purchase  and  shipment  of 
goods  for  the  missionaries,  and  the  forwarding  of  goods  to 
them  from  friends  in  America  by  the  Treasurer’s  department, 
require  considerable  time  and  involve  not  a  little  expense. 
It  is  hoped,  therefore,  that  no  one  will  use  the  department  for 
any  purchase  outside  the  desires  and  requirements  of  the  mis¬ 
sionaries  themselves.  Missionaries  sometimes  order  goods  for 
“  friends  ”  residing  near  them  in  foreign  lands.  This  should 
not  be  done. 

Periodicals.  Missionaries  are  ad\  ised  to  ask  the  Treasurer 
to  order  periodicals  for  them,  using  the  order  blanks  provided 
for  that  purpose. 


34 


